Have you seen the May issue of Oregon Jewish Life magazine?  We're so proud of ORA members Laurie Fendel, Eddy Shuldman, and alumnus Carole Glauber.  Also proud of Israel…..

www.ojlife.com/

Final Week of JAM!!!

Neveh Shalom member/artists Laurie Fendel, Sharon Segal, Ros Kane and Eddy Shuldman  all have art at the MJCC this week. It's the final week of this year's Jewish Arts Month (JAM) rotating exhibit. Admission is free to see the art in the lobby, all day from now until the show ends this Friday.

All of the artwork is available for sale, and a portion of each sale benefits MJCC.  Come on over and check out the art! It's  pretty great!!!

Eddy Shuldman: Putting It All Together!

Eddy Shuldman is the leader of ORA. She holds us all together, working a million behind-the-scene details like puzzle pieces, while tutoring kids and adults, and all the while creating inspiring art works of fused glass. Her latest piece is an ambitious combination of glass pieces and wood, which seems symbolic of her leadership style.
Eddy's glass work has been purchased and commissioned throughout the world, and we are so privileged to have her incredible energy guiding us. Come enjoy her spirit and her art this Sunday, November 3rd, at

CELEBRATION OF ART 2013! 

10:30-4:30 

at Mittleman Jewish Community Center

6651 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, Oregon

New Exhibit at the J!

The final exhibit in this month's rotation was mounted today at MJCC. It features the works of Shemaya Blauer, Glenn Decherd, Leslie Elder, Esther Liberman, and Eddy Shuldman.

Come by and see the familiar lobby of Mittleman adorned with paintings, glasswork, pottery and beadwork. Of course, there's no admission fee... just come in and browse. (And maybe grab a nosh or a latte at Cafe at the J.)

But come quick... the show is only on display until Friday afternoon. Enjoy!

Art On Broadway

pictured (back row l to r) Sharon Segal, Laurie Fendel, Diane Fredgant, Leslie Elder,

(front row l to r) Eddy Shuldman, Esther Liberman

Our membership chair and photographer/historian, Ellen Shefi captured this fun shot of some of the showing artists at Art on Broadway in Beverton! It was a fun evening!

The show continues through December 29...just in case you want to spend a little Chanukah gelt on some art!

ART Enhances the synagogue experience!

Hiddur Mitzvah is all about beautifying a ceremonial object or a ritual. ORA is pleased to continue exhibiting a few artists at a time in the foyer of the main sanctuary at Neveh Shalom.

This opportunity allows us to fill the lobby will color and light. It gives congregants an opportunity to look at art, meet artists and talk about some of the questions we always wrestle with. WHAT MAKES ART JEWISH? Is it the theme of the art, the religion of the artist?...well, you get the picture!

The second Friday night of each month features a service called ORA Shalom....a Shabbat for the senses. We are so pleased to be a part of this monthly event that allows all of us to redefine our spirituality in various ways.

Featured through the beginning of February are:

JAN KATZ: 2D paintings

ESTHER LIBERMAN: Beadwork

EDDY SHULDMAN: Fused Glass

DIANA UNTERSPAN: Fiber Art

Artists can be contacted directly if you are interested in purchasing or commissioning a piece. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the synagogue.

• Stop by and check out the work.

• Visit our website (listed in the left column of this blog)

• Are you an artist? Join us!

• Want to buy or commission some art? Contact us! oraartists@gmail.com

• Questions about the art you see? Come to services, meet the artist and ask her yourself....or drop her a note care of our ORA email!

• Drop us a note and give us some feedback.....

ORA SHALOM and FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE- 9/12/11

A very special night of music, art, and spirituality comes to SW Portland tomorrow night at 7:30 !

Neveh Shalom will play host to the instrumental music of Klezmocracy and the remarkable vocal stylings of Cantor Deborah Bletstein.

This will be the second time we have had Friday Night Live....and if it is anything like the one last spring, it will be a rocking night!

ORA artists Jan Katz, Esther Liberman , Eddy Shuldman, and Diana Unterspan will have their art work on display in the lobby and will be present to talk with folks right after services.

It will be a beautiful evening...the music will breathe fresh life into our liturgy. The traditional music is beautiful but when we mix it up once in while , the prayers take on new meaning and new life. Put that together with beautiful art and you have a magical evening.

The art will remain on display for the next few months....come to shul! it will be special!

The artists:

Jan Katz paints stunning acrylic paintings ...portraits, landscapes and abstracts- all tell stories in vibrant color and motion!

Esther Liberman brings beads to life in her spiritual interpretations of ritual objects like kippot and yahrzeit candles. Her jewelry is breath-taking.

Eddy Shuldman loves glass and frequently uses it as a way to express her studies of Jewish texts. The lobby exhibit features four Torah adornments/breast plates.

Diana Unterspan works with fibers in various forms. Felting and other interesting techniques lend a poetic quality to her work. She creates intriguing abstracts...several framed examples are on display...and she also makes women's hats (not on display).

EDDY SHULDMAN, our Shining Light

The final artist in this series is our founder and guiding light, Eddy Shuldman. Working with fused glass, Eddy is always exploring new ideas and inspirations, asking questions and proposing new answers. Never afraid to try something new, she pushes the limitations of glass, as well as her imagination. Her beautiful creations grace the homes of many Portlanders, and places far across the world as well.

Eddy is an idea person. ORA was her idea, and so was Jewish Arts Month (JAM). She has a special ability to excite other people with her ideas, and find ways to make them reality. She pushes our members and guest artists to dream bigger and achieve more. Through the force of her energy and enthusiasm, ORA has grown from a vague idea to a well-known organization.

We hope that YOU will be a part of our historical journey. Come to MJCC this Sunday, meet Eddy Shuldman, and see the remarkable things she has achieved.

Celebration of ART!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
10:30 am - 4:30 pm
Mittleman Jewish Community Center
6651 SW Capitol Hwy
Portland, Oregon

Our Latest Exhibit

You know how, after awhile, exhibits kind of look the same? Well, in this case, it doesn't! We all dropped off our artwork at Neveh Shalom and departed. Then our two curators too over and created a completely new exhibit in about an hour. When we came back to pick up whatever they didn't use, it was amazing! The new show looks so very different... and really beautiful!

This exhibit includes the work of: Shemaya Blauer, Leslie Elder, Laura Joy Fendel, Diane Fredgant, Esther Liberman, Sharon Segal, Ellen Shefi, Eddy Shuldman, Diana Unterspan, and Sabina Wohlfeiler.

Kudos to Laurie Fendel and Sabina Wohlfeiler for doing such a great job with this.

Everyone should come by and take a look. This exhibit will be up until late October, in the lobby of the main entrance of Neveh Shalom. Nothing's for sale... just come and enjoy.

Congregation Neveh Shalom
2900 Peaceful Way
Portland, OR 97239

What's In A Name?

It was my job to print up labels for our new "Gateways" exhibit at Neveh Shalom. Each artist sent me the titles of the works they were submitting, as well as the medium, and perhaps a brief explanation of the connection between the work and the Gateways theme. It was a most interesting process, because I was not seeing the actual works. My imagination was going a little crazy, trying to imagine what these pieces might look like.

Consider this example. Leslie Elder had a piece called "Smoothing Out The Wrinkles." I knew it was a watercolor painting, but had no idea what it looked like. Her info talked about the "Eyshet Chayil" blessing, and how a husband's reputation is partly based on the good deeds of his wife. I couldn't imagine what it might look like!

So it was with great curiosity that I showed up on Monday for the set-up of this exhibit. I looked for Sharon Segal's "Separate But Equal???" and Laura Joy's "Doorways of Choice", Ellen Shefi's "Ice Puddle" and Shemaya Blauer's "Releasing What Is Known." And I looked for Leslie's 3 pieces.

In each case, I was blown away! This is such a powerful gathering of theme-based works! I think I'm not going to tell you what Leslie's painting looks like, because you have to see it for yourself. When you see the three paintings together, and read her thoughts on them, you may experience the exquisite lump-in-the-throat that I did.

You will get goose bumps when you see Laura Joy's fabric sculpture, and you will feel the most beautiful serenity looking at Eddy Shuldman's "Wanderings" Seder Plate juxtaposed with Diane Fredgant's painted silk wall hanging "L'Dor vaDor." You will recognize the family history behind Barbara Berger's two gateway photos. And much more.

The exhibit is on display through the end of May. Come to services, or any activity, or just drop by during the day and ring the buzzer to be let in. You'll be glad you did!

"Gateways"
a theme-based exhibit of artwork by ORA artists
at Congregation Neveh Shalom
2900 SW Peaceful Lane
Portland, OR 97239
503.246.8831

Just the Facts, Ma'am

Great news! The Calendar web page for this year's Jewish Arts Month (JAM) is done! Of course, the word 'done' is a fantasy, since this festival continues to grow and evolve, right up to the end. So i will continue to add events and update information, but the major part of the work is done. Phew!

And now is a good time to remind our readers about this amazing festival of arts - music, poetry, theater, visual arts, film, literature, photography and workshops. Special presentations by masters and amateurs, children and seniors, and everyone in between! Events are taking place all over Greater Portland, including some venues that might suprise you! This festival is so big, it can't begin to fit into one 'month.' So it spreads out over a period from February through early May. There's something for everyone, and for every schedule. And of course, plenty of exhibits and new work from ORA artists!

Wanna see what all the fuss is about? Check out the calendar, and start participating!
http://www.northwestjewishartists.org/JAMcalendar2011.html


Jewish Arts Month (JAM) is a joint production of Mittleman Jewish Community Center and ORA: Northwest Jewish Artists.

JAM is organized and directed by our very own Eddy Shuldman. Kol hakavod!

Eddy Shuldman, the "Life" of ORA

Eddy Shuldman, co-founder of ORA, creates inspiring works of art in glass. From whimsy to abiding faith, many of life's themes find expression in her colorful fused glass creations.

She comments on the creative process: "Glass is magic! Hebrew letters often dance across a fanciful screen in my mind's eye. Translating this dance of letters and images into glass becomes a meditative experience. I journey deeper into the meanings and fight the limitations that a solid, yet fragile medium offers me."

Eddy is the driving force behind ORA, and the creator of Portland's highly acclaimed Jewish Arts Month. Her energy and optimism are visible in everything she does. Come meet this human dynamo, and be inspired by her artwork!

It's THIS SUNDAY, October 24th at MJCC.

A Celebration of Art

SAVE THE DATE! The greater Portland community is once again invited to shop at A Celebration of Art 2010 ("CoA"). This is a one day event running from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm on Sunday, October 24th. We will proudly feature the work of 25 local Jewish artists!

Shoppers can expect high quality art and fine crafts. Prices are reasonable and art lovers can feel good about supporting local artists!

In its fifth year, the art sale will again be held in the MJCC ballroom.

ORA members Leslie Elder, Susan Kuznitzky, Sharon Segal and Sabina Wohlfeiler will exhibit new paintings.
Paintings and ceramics will fill Robin Esterkin's space.
Ellen Shefi has new photography and manipulated imagery for sale.
Three-dimensional artwork will include Esther Liberman's beadwork, Eddy Shuldman's fused glass & Judaica art, Laura Fendel's functional fabric sculptures and Julie Hockley's precious metal jewelry creations.

Our next blog entry will release the names of this year's guests artists. Stay tuned, as the excitement builds!

Summer Art

Several of our members are participating in art events this summer.
Please come and enjoy these events!



- Eddy and Esther are sharing a booth at a giant juried craft fair:

"Craft-In" Arts & Crafts Show
Saturday, July 17th
10 am - 4:30 pm
at the historic 99W Drive-In Theatre Parking Lot
in Newberg, Oregon 97132
Admission: Free


-Laurie and Sharon will be featured in a joint art exhibit:

"Hearts and Vessels"
From Aug 31 through Sept 24
Artists' Reception is Friday Sept 10th
5:30 to 7:30 pm
at the Emerald Art Center
500 Main St, Springfield, Oregon 97477
Regular hours Tues - Sat 11 am to 4 pm
541.726.8595

Award-Winning Quality!!

Our own Eddy Shuldman received a prestigious "Song of Miriam" award yesterday! It's great to see her receive the recognition she deserves for her incredible work on Jewish Arts Month (JAM) this year with Mittleman Jewish Community Center.

The Song of Miriam Awards honor women who volunteer their time and energy to ensure the continuity and vibrancy of the Jewish community of Oregon and Southwest Washington.

This annual event is sponsored by the Jewish Women’s Round Table, which represents Jewish women in Oregon and SW Washington through their organizations and congregations, convening in the spirit of cooperation to recognize achievements in volunteering and collectively contributing to the continuity of Jewish life in the community.

We offer congratulations, and our sincere thanks, to all the recipients of this wonderful award.

SOLD!! To the guy with the chair...

All five of our members' contributions to this year's Chair affair found buyers, helping the Community Warehouse raise $125,000 at this year's event!

It's wonderful to a part of this good cause, and encouraging to know that there were buyers for each of our offerings.



"Button Up Your View"
by Laura Joy Fendel

"Zine Zone" by Gary Pearlman




"Chair Up There" by Robin Esterkin
"Love Seat"
by Esther Liberman


"Avian Spa" by Eddy Shuldman

Chair Up There

Robin Esterkin's lovely painting, "Chair Up There" and Laura Fendel's fabric-framed mirror, "Button Up Your View" are featured on the Virtual Storefront of Community Warehouse's Estate Store. Click here to take a look, and scroll down to the entries for April 3rd and 4th.

The annual Chair Affair, which benefits Portland's Community Warehouse, will take place this Thursday, April 8th, and is totally sold out! So it's a pretty good bet that both of these beauties will be sold that night.

Other ORA artists who have contributed to this year's sale are Esther Liberman, Gary Pearlman and Eddy Shuldman. Click on each artist's name to see their Chair Affair offering. It's wonderful to be able to use our creativity to support such a good cause.

Come See the Light this Thursday!

Check out Eddy's amazing Jewish Arts Month blog for a full run-down of all the wonderful artists featured in our "Light" exhibit. http://jewishartsmonth.blogspot.com

And then come join our opening night reception for an uplifting evening of music, food, drink, and ART ! Enjoy art by 20 local artists who are members, guests or alumni of ORA: Northwest Jewish Artists.

Thursday, March 4, 2010
5:30 - 9:00 pm

Elements Glass Gallery & Hot Shop
1979 NW Vaughn St.
Portland, OR 97209
503.228.0575

(The show will run from March 4th through March 14th.
The gallery will be open daily from 1 - 4 pm starting Friday March 5th.)

Hannukah in "the Couve"

ORA made some new friends today. Four of us participated as vendors at Vancouver Chabad's Hannukah party. We (Diane, Eddy, Esther & Rosana) brought our wares to the Hilton Hotel in downtown Vancouver, and joined the Chabad group after their menorah-lighting outside. Inside, it was warm and friendly, with lovely people, terrific live music, latkes and sufganiot.

Did we sell a lot? Nope. But did we have fun? Yup. And we all sold something, so it was okay. Meanwhile, we gained some new exposure, both for ORA and for the Vancouver Chabad group. It was one of those adventures on our journey, and we're glad for all of those!

Who Are Those Guys????

Who are those suspicious looking guys? You'll find out at Celebration of Art next Sunday! Hint: Eddy is putting together an incredible Power Point slide show, which will be running during the art show. We got a peek at a partial version last night, and it's truly celebratory. You will love it! And of course, admission is FREE!


Celebration of Art!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
10:30 am - 4:00 pm
MJCC Ballroom